Washington State Command Council is about creating a positive lifestyle for ALL veterans andreceived its State Charter on January 1, 2000 under Commander Lloyd A. Burroughs. NABVETS was initially the Interested Veterans of Central City (IVOCC).

Mission
On an ongoing basis, the National Association for Black Veterans Incorporated will provide strategic advocacy on behalf of its membership with Congress, the Federal Administration, State Administrations and other agencies and organizations. NABVETS will provide personal advocacy on behalf of veterans seeking claims against the United States Department of Veterans Affairs; youth in all matters required for successful passage into adulthood. NABVETS also provides advocacy on behalf of families to include community involvement and, in turn, advocates to create positive lifestyles for veterans while generating and preserving the historical record.

Vision
To be a professional organization that has, as its members, 50% of the total black veterans population nationally; an organization with State Departments and Command Councils located in every state and city with a population greater than 250,000; an organization that has an emphasis on younger veterans who are on active duty or who are recently separated veterans; an organization that offers its members a wide array of benefits and services; an organization that provides services to all veterans, but especially low income veterans; and an organization that is financially viable.

National Association for Black Veterans, Inc. is:

A nationally certified Veterans Service Organization and a United States Department of Veterans Affairs claims representative for the purpose of benefits and discharge upgrade services;

A membership organization with membership and chapters throughout the United States and Puerto Rico;

Working in unity with the community to end homelessness, empower low-income and minority veterans and working with disadvantaged youth;

Preserving the historical contributions of minority veterans, such as the Congressionally approved National Day of Honor (May 25th);

Advocating for amnesty for Vietnam era veterans;

Publishing the Eclipse Magazine (established in 1974 as Eclipse Newspaper);

Calling attention to the needs of homeless and economically disadvantaged veterans;

Developing affordable permanent housing for all low-income veterans and non-veterans;

Rising to the challenge of addressing amnesty for Vietnam veterans and youth development in the community;

Operating Veterans United for Community Services (VUCS), a nationally acclaimed program of NABVETS that brings veterans, today’s ‘citizen soldiers,’ to the table in overcoming barriers facing America’s growing population of low-income and homeless veterans and the problems faced by youth. Since 1995, VUCS members have volunteered over 400,000 hours of community service, at least 70% of these hours dedicated to working with youth.